Leeds United have won just one of their last five Championship games, and it has loosened their grip on the automatic promotion race. The margin for error has tightened in the remaining seven games of the season, and Leeds cannot afford more missteps. However, the Whites are now facing fighting historical precedent to get over the line this season.
The Leeds United players looked shot to pieces when they conceded the injury-time equaliser against Swansea City on Saturday, which meant they dropped two more points.
Daniel Farke will have to cheer up a squad who are carrying the memories of last season, when they similarly imploded at the business end of the season to miss out on promotion.
With seven games remaining, Leeds are still in control of their destiny, but the Whites will now have to overcome a challenge that has bogged them down for years.
Leeds United fans should avoid looking at the club’s record in April
Leeds will play six of the last seven league games in the month of April, and their record for this month over the last decade has been more than poor.
The Whites came up short during April last season, taking just seven points from an available 18, allowing Leicester City and Ipswich Town to clinch automatic promotion.
When Leeds won promotion in 2020, the club’s final nine games were played in June and July after the 2020 COVID-19 shutdown, which disrupted the season.
Leeds’ record in April since the 2013/14 season is 17 wins, 12 draws and 32 defeats from 61 matches, which amounts to a 28 percent win ratio. They have taken just 63 points from a possible 183 during that time.
Leeds can reverse the trend starting at Luton
Daniel Farke and the Leeds players are unlikely to be checking on the club’s record in April and will be focusing on preparing for Luton on Saturday.
Omens and historic records are good for a nice read ahead of a big game, but they rarely affect the game when the two sides get on the pitch.
Can you name the season these 10 Leeds United shirts are from?
Leeds’ 28 percent win record in April will mean nothing if Manor Solomon and Joel Piroe find their scoring boots at Luton on Saturday and start banging the goals again.
It does make fans wary of what is to come, as surely, the White supporters will be dreading dropping into the playoff spots at the end of the season.
A win at Luton on Saturday will calm nerves, and the players need to do all the talking on the pitch, regardless of what history says.
